Gomez draws with Paragua, gets GM norm
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:26:00 07/12/2008
Standings after 13 rounds:
Men: 11 points—J. Gomez; 9.5—W. So, B. Villamayor; 8.0—J. Gonzales; 7.5—M. Paragua, D. Laylo, C. Garma; 7.0—L. Carlos; 6.5—R. Nolte; 6.0—J. Sadorra, H. Pascua; 5.5—R. Bancod; 5.0—R. Bitoon, B. Nadera; 4.5—J. Habla, J. Nodado; 4.0—N. de la Cruz; 2.5—E. Gatus.
Standings after nine rounds:
Women: 6.5 points—D. Rivera, C. Pereña; 5.5—Shercila Cua, C. Camacho; 5.0—J. Fronda, C. Mariano; 4.0—C. Bernales, Sherily Cua; 3.5—K. Cunanan, R. Young; 3.0—E. Magno; 2.0—E. Tumbos.
MANILA, Philippines — Three-time national junior champion International Master (IM) John Paul Gomez drew his match with Grandmaster Mark Paragua to stay in command and earn his first GM norm 13 rounds though the 2008 NCFP qualifying tournament in Mandaluyong City.
Taking no unnecessary risks with the black pieces, Gomez halved the point with Paragua in only 31 moves of the Slav defense and retained the lead for the seventh straight day in this event hosted by the Mandaluyong City government.
The 22-year-old engineering student from Biñan City in Laguna province now has 11 points on nine wins and four draws in the 17-round qualifier that will determine the Philippines’ representatives to the Chess Olympiad in Germany and the World Mind Games in Beijing later this year.
The draw enabled Gomez to earn the first of three norms he needs to become the Philippines’ newest GM.
Top-seeded GM Wesley So trounced National Master (NM) Jony Habla in 61 moves of the Ruy Lopez and GM Bong Villamayor outplayed IM Chito Garma in 43 moves of the Pirc to keep their share of second with 9.5 points each.
Subic Open champion GM Jayson Gonzales drew with IM Richard Bitoon in 45 moves of the English opening to remain in fourth spot.
Here is the full article.
Go Gomez!
as long as the norms acheived cover 27 games, only two norms are needed, right? FIDE handbook 1.50a